The Utah Transportation Commission convened in a Staff Update Meeting with UDOT Staff on August 9, 2012, at the Tremonton Public Works Building – Conference Room, 300 East 1200 South (Rocket Road), Tremonton, Utah, at 3:25 p.m. In attendance were:

Cory Pope led a discussion on the Uintah Basin Energy Corridor Study, stating that this would be a study to look at energy production in the Uintah Basin and how it would affect transportation there. Rail could be a solution, but they also want to consider other modes of transportation to find the right solution to meet the demand. There is current stress on the transportation system out there now, and there is additional production that has been permitted to take place in the future as well. In regards to funding for the study/project, $200,000 would come from UDOT, $100,000 each from Duchesne and Uintah Counties, and $700,000 from UTSSD. The study will be done in phases, and reports will be made to the Commission every few months or so. The Transportation Interim Committee also has this item on next week’s meeting agenda. Commissioner Millington commented that this is in line with the Department’s new strategic goals, specifically the economic development goal.

Access Utah County Update

Bryan Adams distributed a handout on the SR-92/Timpanogos Highway project and announced that SR-92 will open on Saturday morning and be ready for the Monday commute. He showed an animated video of the project and how the commuter lanes will work in each direction. He also provided additional details about the project. He said it will be an asset to the communities in the area. Mr. Adams gave an update on the other Access Utah County projects and their budgets: SR-77 in Springville, Pioneer Crossing, and Geneva Road. Additional discussion took place regarding the contractor issues with the SR-92 project and the DDI retrofit at I-15 and SR-92.

MAP-21 Discussion

Linda Hull started the MAP-21 discussion by distributing a handout and talking about the reauthorization of the Transportation Bill, which is a 27 month bill. Funding is authorized for two full fiscal years, plus the three remaining months of this fiscal year. She stated that the new bill made some good policy reforms. She also briefly mentioned other items, such as the consolidation of some program categories, streamlining of project delivery, and environmental streamlining.

Cory Pope discussed the programming aspects of the bill. He reviewed the Consolidated Highway Program Structure in further detail, comparing the current program structure to the new MAP-21 core program structure. He also talked about the bill’s performance measures and greater accountability requirements

Bill Lawrence used a PowerPoint presentation to discuss funding details of the bill and how it would impact UDOT’s program. He reviewed FY 2012 apportionments and funding distributions and FY 2013 apportionments and funding distributions. He explained that IM, NHS, and On System Bridge programs are now part of the National Highway Performance Program (NHPP – a new program), with $185.5 million of funding, up $736,000. STP, Equity Bonus, and Off System Bridge are part of the Surface Transportation Program (STP), with $85.3 million of funding, down $4.2 million. Safety and Rail Crossing is part of the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), with $20.4 million of funding, up $7.9 million. Recreational Trails, Safe Routes to Schools, and Transportation Enhancements is part of the Transportation Alternatives Program (a new program), with $6.4 million of funding, down $4.2 million, from artificially inflated levels of funding in 2010 and 2011. CMAQ funding is down $626,000, and MPO Planning funding is up $401,000. Mr. Lawrence said that in looking at the programs and new categories, they will likely be swapping funding on some projects to make it all work.

Open Discussion

It was noted by Kris Peterson that Brigham City has been identified as part of the Layton/Ogden urbanized area. WFRC will need to work with Brigham City and Box Elder County to figure out the boundary. Also, additional communication needs to take place with Brigham City regarding this change. They will be at the Commission meeting tomorrow to address the communication issue.